Keeping the innocent from being convicted and freeing those imprisoned for crimes they didn't commit.

Who We Are

WHAT WE DO

The Minnesota Innocence Project represents people who were wrongfully convicted for crimes they did not commit, we educate attorneys and criminal justice professionals on best practices, and we work to reform the procedures that produce such unjust results.

The Innocence Network, using DNA testing, has worked to free 325 innocent people, after serving an average of 13.5 years in prison for crimes they didn’t commit. Added together, they spent over 4,337 years behind bars. Imagine spending the past thirteen years of your life in prison. Then imagine the effect it would have on those who care about you.

In addition to DNA exonerations, hundreds of other innocent people have been freed through lengthy re-investigation of their cases. The Minnesota Innocence Project will act in any Minnesota case where clear evidence of innocence is present. We also work to change procedures. We have taught countless lawyers forensic science both as part of continuing legal education and through clinics and law school classes. We continue to work with police and prosecutors to change the procedures that lead to the conviction of innocent men and women.

Finally, we regularly reach out to community groups, to further the public understanding of innocence related issues.

Fraud Alert– We have heard that there are people who fraudulently represent themselves as working for the Innocence Project, promising legal representation in exchange for money. These people do not work for the Innocence Project. The Innocence Project provides all legal representation for free. While we rely on charitable donations to support our work, we never solicit money for our services from our clients.